Man shot in eye walks into Wichita liquor store

Tour the new Oxford Villa senior apartments

Get to know the Wichita State basketball readers panel

Share Video

Julie Dombo was shot while inside an AT&T retail store in Derby in August of 2015. The trauma from the shooting resulted in the amputation of her hands and feet. On Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, she testified in the trial of James Michael Phillips, who is accused of shooting her. (Video by Travis Heying)
theying@wichitaeagle.com

Julie Dombo testifies in the trial of James Michael Phillips on Tuesday. Phillips is charged with attempted first-degree murder in the alleged shooting of Dombo during the robbery of an AT&T store in Derby in August 2015.
Travis HeyingThe Wichita Eagle

James Michael Phillips sits in a courtroom on Tuesday. Phillips, who is representing himself in his trial, is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting Julie Dombo while robbing an AT&T store in Derby in August of 2015.
Travis HeyingThe Wichita Eagle

Julie Dombo, left, points to a diagram while testifying in the trial of James Michael Phillips on Tuesday. Phillips is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting Dombo while robbing an AT&T store in Derby in August 2015.
Travis HeyingThe Wichita Eagle

Julie Dombo spoke calmly and clearly in court on Tuesday about the day her life changed.

That day — Aug. 11, 2015 — Dombo walked into a Derby AT&T store after her morning stroll. She had arrived around 9 a.m. and text messaged her sister for a bit before going inside to get help fixing a cellphone issue.

She didn’t think much of the man who followed her in, she said.

But moments later, he drew a gun and fired twice.

The injuries she suffered — a bullet wound to the arm and another to the chest that punctured her lung — would eventually result in doctors amputating her limbs to save her life.

“When the gun went off … it was intense pain. And I said, ‘You shot me,’” Dombo said from the witness stand, recalling the encounter.

“I thought I was going to lie there on the floor and bleed to death.” She added: “I just didn’t want to die.”

I thought I was going to lie there on the floor and bleed to death.

Julie Dombo, shooting victim

The man who prosecutors say is responsible for Dombo’s injuries, 27-year-old James Michael Phillips, is standing trial this week for attempted first-degree murder, attempted capital murder and seven other felony crimes. Tuesday was the first day the jury — eight women and six men — heard from witnesses.

Dombo in court identified Phillips as the shooter.

Prosecutors contend Phillips devised “a meticulous plan” not only to rob the store of cellphones but to control the people inside. He posed as a customer — asking questions about prepaid cellphone plans and the cost of high-end smartphones — they say, before drawing a handgun and demanding access to the safe in the back of the store. In addition to the gun, he carried handcuffs, gloves and zip ties.

When Dombo, then a 61-year-old retired guidance counselor, refused to go in the back of the store out of fear she would be tied up, raped and killed, Phillips turned the gun on her and pulled the trigger, according to testimony in court.

“When things didn’t go his way, he lost control. He got angry,” Sedgwick County Assistant District Attorney Matt Dwyer said.

When things didn’t go his way, he lost control. He got angry.

Prosecutor Matt Dwyer about shooting suspect James Michael Phillips

Phillips, meanwhile, painted the events of Aug. 11 as a situation gone wrong.

“Here’s a young man who went out to do somethings to support his family,” he said. But it didn’t turn out as planned, he said, adding: “There was no intent to murder anyone.”

During his opening statements in court, he called on jurors to use common sense and doubted the state’s ability to prove his guilt.

Authorities arrested Phillips in southeast Wichita after he fled from the AT&T store in a white SUV. During a police chase, Phillips allegedly fired at a Derby police officer who was in pursuit, leading to the attempted capital murder charge.

He has pleaded not guilty to all counts against him. In Kansas, an attempted capital murder conviction can bring a life prison sentence.

There was no intent to murder anyone.

James Michael Phillips, to jurors

In an unusual move for a case in which the criminal charges are so severe, Phillips is representing himself. He has refused repeated suggestions by judges leading up to his trial that he enlist the help of a defense attorney.

Tour the new Oxford Villa senior apartments

Get to know the Wichita State basketball readers panel

Share Video

In a Sedgwick County courtroom on Tuesday, not only did Julie Dombo have to face the man accused of shooting her in August of 2015, but she had to take question from him. James Michael Phillips is acting as his own attorney during his trial for attempted murder. (Video by Travis Heying)

theying@wichitaeagle.com

District Judge Joe Kisner, who is presiding over the trial, warned Phillips that if he couldn’t follow court decorum and avoid outbursts, he would end the self-representation and appoint a lawyer for him.

On several occasions Tuesday, Phillips became agitated with prosecutors who objected to some of his witness questions and muttered expletives at them.

In addition to Dombo’s recounting of the shooting, jurors heard from law enforcement officers who helped stop Phillips’ flight from the store, a Wesley Medical Center surgeon who operated on Dombo after she was brought in by paramedics, and one of the AT&T store’s employees.

K-State rolls TCU 30-6

Watch Chiefs and Raiders fans brawl in stands at Arrowhead Stadium

Share Video

Julie Dombo was shot during an attempted robbery at an AT&T store in Derby last August. Her injuries led to the amputation of her hands and feet. She and her husband John have faced numerous challenges since that day, but are both thankful Julie survived. (Video by Travis Heying / The Wichita Eagle/ May 27, 2016)

theying@wichitaeagle.com

A man who aided Dombo after the shooting and saw Phillips running from the store also testified.

Testimony will resume Wednesday morning. The trial is expected to last about a week.